GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce RTX 2060
Raw performance is basically a wash between the GeForce GTX 1080 and GeForce RTX 2060 — the gap is within margin of error. It also wins on performance-per-dollar, making it the cleaner choice when you can afford it.
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GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce RTX 2060: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce RTX 2060
The GeForce GTX 1080 and GeForce RTX 2060 post nearly the same score in our performance index, so neither holds a meaningful raw-speed advantage. Both are best suited to entry-level 1080p gaming. The GeForce GTX 1080 packs 2,560 CUDA cores versus 1,920 on the GeForce RTX 2060.
Price & Value
Pricing has the GeForce GTX 1080 at $160 USD, $40 USD under the GeForce RTX 2060's $200 USD. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 1080 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 25%. The GeForce GTX 1080 is trading below its $599 USD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 2060 is trading below its $349 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
Power draw favors the GeForce RTX 2060 (160W vs 180W), and it's the more efficient card too, so it's the easy pick if thermals or a smaller PSU matter. Its more modern Turing architecture on a TSMC 12nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce GTX 1080 carries 8GB versus 6GB on the GeForce RTX 2060. The extra 2GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 2060 is roughly 3 years newer than the GeForce GTX 1080 (Turing vs Pascal), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1080 or GeForce RTX 2060?
The GeForce GTX 1080 is the all-round winner here — it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the GeForce RTX 2060 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce GTX 1080 better than the GeForce RTX 2060?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1080 or the GeForce RTX 2060?
Is the GeForce RTX 2060 worth the extra $40 USD over the GeForce GTX 1080?
Does the GeForce GTX 1080 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1080 or GeForce RTX 2060?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Turing |
| Process Node | TSMC 16nm | TSMC 12nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,560✓ | 1,920 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 30 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 240 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,607 MHz✓ | 1,365 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,733 MHz✓ | 1,680 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB✓ | 6 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5X | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit✓ | 192-bit |
| Memory Speed | 10 Gbps | 14 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 320 GB/s | 336 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 180 W | 160 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | May 2016 | Jan 2019 |